Southport's Conservative and Labour Euro-MPs have been asked to display a united front in opposition to a war against Iraq.

Chris Davies has written to the North West's five Conservative and four Labour MEPs inviting them to join him on the 'Stop the War' rally in London this Saturday.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said that he had rarely come across an issue which united so many people across party lines.

He said: "There is a strong desire to see the pressure on Saddam Hussein maintained in order to promote disarmament, but an overwhelming majority also believe that we should not be rushing headlong towards a war. Very few people believe that Iraq poses a direct threat at the present time"

"As things stand it looks as though I shall be the only one of the ten North West MEPs at the rally, but I urge my colleagues in other parties to join the thousands of people from our region who will be there to make their protest against Britain joining a pre-emptive strike on Iraq."

Mr Davies said that it was 25 years since he had last joined a major protest march but he was glad to be marching alongside Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy on this occasion.

"I supported military action against Iraq in the Gulf War of 1991, but I cannot find good reason to justify an attack now," he said.
MEP Chris Davies (right) and Liberal Democrat peer (Lord) Tony Greaves prepare for Saturday's march.